Cuicocha Hike and Alpaca Tour
Cuicocha Hike and Alpaca Tour: Nature, Culture, and Charm in the Andes
The Cuicocha Hike and Alpaca tour begins at 8:00 AM, when your local guide and driver pick you up directly from your hotel in Otavalo or Cotacachi. From that moment, a day filled with natural wonder and cultural connection begins. Our private transport takes you to the majestic Cotacachi-Cayapas Ecological Reserve, home to one of Ecuador’s most iconic landscapes: the Cuicocha Crater Lake.
By 8:30 AM, we arrive at the park and begin a scenic hike along the lake’s volcanic rim. This moderate trek allows you to enjoy panoramic views, breathe in crisp mountain air, and discover the unique highland ecosystem of the páramo. The first stage of the Cuicocha Hike and Alpaca tour offers the chance to observe native medicinal, edible, and ornamental plants while soaking in the peaceful beauty of nature and snapping unforgettable photos.
At 10:30 AM, we continue our journey toward a unique experience in the highlands of the Cotacachi volcano: an alpaca farm visit. By 12:00 PM, we arrive and are warmly welcomed by local caretakers, who share the cultural importance of alpacas in the Andean tradition. You’ll get to interact with these gentle animals, take photos, and learn about their care—one.
At 12:30 PM, we begin our final walk to the charming indigenous community of Morochos, where the hike ends around 2:00 PM. A vehicle will pick us up for the return, concluding the Cuicocha Hike and Alpaca tour by 2:30 PM—leaving you with lasting memories of Ecuador’s nature and traditions.
📌 Optional Activity: Participate to shear an alpaca (extra cost per group). Learn how the community uses the fiber in their crafts.
Note: If pickup from the alpaca proyect is needed, an additional fee applies.
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Destination
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Departure
Otavalo/Cotacahi -
Departure Time
Approximately 8.00AM -
Return Time
Approximately 15.00PM -
Dress Code
Casual, comfortable and light -
Included
Guide Esp - EngLunchPersonal GuideTransportVisit to Alpaca Breeding -
Not Included
Accommodation (hotel)Airport TransferBike and helmetBracelet and activitiesBracelets with your nameBreakfastCoffee ProcessCooking ClassDinnerExtra drinksFamily accommodationGallery TicketGroup Purification RitualHorsesHotSpring NangulviPachamankaPartera DemonstrationTaxes (VAT)Tents and sleeping matsTicketsTipsTraditional lunchTrapiche ProcessWork materialsYuca and Coffee Tasting
From our gallery
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Tour Plan
8:00 AM – Pick-up from your hotel in Otavalo or Cotacachi.
8:30 AM – Arrival at Cotacachi-Cayapas National Park and start of a half-hike around Cuicocha Lake.
10:30 AM – Transfer to the alpaca farm in the highlands of the Cotacachi volcano.
12:00 PM – Arrival at the Alpaca Breeding Center.
12:30 PM – Begin the hike to the indigenous community of Morochos.
2:00 PM – End of the hike and vehicle pick-up.
3:00 PM – End of the tour.
Gallery
Let yourself be carried away by the magic QuichuaTours! We invite you to discover the essence of the tour through images.
Reviews Scores and Score Breakdown
“Did you live an unforgettable adventure with us? Tell us about it! Your story could spark someone else’s next trip.”
Susan Kloat
El tour caminata con llamas y visita al lago Cuicocha es una bonita experiencia que puedes vivir en Cotacachi, recomiendo el Tour, lo pasaran genial.
mayo 18, 2025 at 1:50 am